Buck Moth Caterpillar

Really BIG caterpillar Dear Bugman, I live in Appomattox, VA, and we saw this caterpillar on the trunk of an oak tree. We don’t see it at night, but we have seen it every morning in the same place. It is very large–about 3 1/2 inches in length, and about 1/2 inch in diameter. I looked through your 9 pages of caterpillars, but nothing looked like it. It looks like it would sting. I love your site!!! Best regards, Nina Eagle

Hi Nina, We found your caterpillar on BugGuide. It is an unidentified Buck Moth Caterpillar in the genus Hemileuca. It was found in Texas, also on an oak tree.